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Abstract:

In one embodiment, the inventive ballistic garment includes a front panel
and a rear panel; a plurality of connecting element, wherein each
connecting element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end of each connecting element is operatively fastened to a first end of
a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each respective
anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the ballistic
garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is operatively
fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug for
releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly.

Claims:

1. A ballistic garment, comprising:a front panel of the ballistic
garment;a rear panel of the ballistic garment;a plurality of connecting
elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements having a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the
plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a first end
of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment;a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment;at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly;wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly;wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; anda pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly, wherein the pull mechanism actuates the at least one pin member
to disengage the at least one releasable plug to allow a detachment of at
least a part of the front panel of the ballistic garment from at least a
part of the rear panel of the ballistic garment.

2. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein a body of the locking
mechanism having at least one extension member that operatively secures
the locking mechanism to the ballistic garment.

3. The ballistic garment of claim 2, wherein the at least one extension
member is operatively secured to a plate member embedded in the ballistic
garment.

4. The ballistic garment of claim 2 wherein at least one extension member
that operatively secures the locking mechanism to the front panel of the
ballistic garment.

5. The ballistic garment of claim 4, wherein the at least one extension
member is operatively secured to the plate member embedded in the front
panel of the ballistic garment.

6. The ballistic garment of claim 2 wherein at least one extension member
that operatively secures the locking mechanism to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment.

7. The ballistic garment of claim 6, wherein the at least one extension
member is operatively secured to the plate member embedded in the rear
panel of the ballistic garment.

8. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connecting
elements operatively join the front panel and the rear panel of the
ballistic garment at a shoulder area and a waist area, and wherein the
activation of the pull mechanism permits the detachment of the front
panel from the rear panel at the shoulder area and waist area of the
ballistic garment.

9. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein the ballistic garment is
vest.

10. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein the ballistic garment has a
left side and a right side, and wherein the pull mechanism is coupled to
the at least one releasable plugs to permit the detachment of the front
panel of the ballistic garment from the rear panel of the ballistic
garment at one of the left side and the right side of the ballistic
garment while leaving the front panel of the ballistic garment and the
rear panel of the ballistic garment attached at the other side of the
ballistic garment.

11. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly further
comprises at least one back-up element, wherein at least one back up
element is operatively connected to at least one pin member, and wherein
the at least one back-up element is being capable of disengaging the at
least one releasable plug without use of the pull mechanism.

12. The ballistic garment of claim 1, wherein the ballistic garment
comprises at least one of soft armor and plate protection.

13. A method for removing a ballistic garment, the method
comprising:wearing a ballistic garment having:a front panel of the
ballistic garment;a rear panel of the ballistic garment;a plurality of
connecting elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements
having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the
plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a first end
of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment;a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment;at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly;wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly;wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; anda pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly; andpulling the pull mechanism, wherein the pull mechanism
actuates the at least one pin member to disengage the at least one
releasable plug to allow a detachment of at least a part of the front
panel of the ballistic garment from at least a part of the rear panel of
the ballistic garment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ballistic garment has a left side
and a right side, and wherein the pull mechanism is coupled to the at
least one releasable plugs to permit the detachment of the front panel of
the ballistic garment from the rear panel of the ballistic garment at one
of the left side and the right side of the ballistic garment while
leaving the front panel of the ballistic garment and the rear panel of
the ballistic garment attached at the other side of the ballistic
garment.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the ballistic garment comprises at
least one of soft armor and plate protection.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/231,125, filed Aug. 4, 2009, entitled
"PROTECTIVE GARMENT HAVING A QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM," the entirety of which
is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003]Oftentimes, such as in emergency situations, protective outer
garments including tactical vests, body armor vests, safety vests, and
other protective outer garments need to be removed quickly. For example,
when a soldier or law enforcement officer is wearing a protective vest
and is injured or incapacitated, in order to provide immediate medical
attention, the protective vest needs to be removed as quickly as
possible. Similarly, a soldier, in danger of drowning due to being
weighed down by protective outer garments along with the equipment and
ammunition thereon, can save himself by quickly removing his protective
outer garments. A protective garment may also need to be removed quickly,
simply so the wearer can quickly change gear and put on other protective
outer garments.

[0004]Protective outer garments such as military vests, tactical ballistic
vests and body armor vests are usually detachable at the shoulders, and
at the sides of the vest. The attachment mechanism typically includes
Velcro fasteners, snap fasteners, buckles or other fastening hardware. To
put on or remove the protective outer garment, a wearer must manipulate
several fasteners typically one at a time. This can be a time consuming
process, or may not be possible.

[0005]Cutaway vests typically have three main components, a front portion,
a rear portion, and a cummerbund. Generally, the front and rear portions
of the vest, and cummerbund can be releasably attached together by
cables. The cables can be routed through a series of rings and loops that
are attached to the fabric of the vest, thereby releasably interlocking
the vest components together. In operation, a wearer pulls a handle that
is attached to the cables and withdraws the cables from the vest, thereby
releasing the vest components, which can then be disengaged from the
wearer. To reassemble the cutaway vest, the cables need to be rerouted
through the entire series of rings and loops throughout the vest, thereby
interlocking the vest components together.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]In one example, a ballistic garment comprises a front panel of the
ballistic garment; a rear panel of the ballistic garment; a plurality of
connecting elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements
having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the
plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a first end
of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly; wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly; wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; and a pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly, wherein the pull mechanism actuates the at least one pin member
to disengage the at least one releasable plug to allow a detachment of at
least a part of the front panel of the ballistic garment from at least a
part of the rear panel of the ballistic garment.

[0007]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes a body
of the locking mechanism having at least one extension member that
operatively secures the locking mechanism to the ballistic garment.

[0008]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one extension member that operatively secures the locking mechanism
to the front panel of the ballistic garment.

[0009]In another example, the at least one extension member is operatively
secured to a plate member embedded in the ballistic garment.

[0010]In another example, the plate member embedded in the front plate of
the ballistic garment

[0011]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one extension member that operatively secures the locking mechanism
to the back panel of the ballistic garment.

[0012]In another example, the plate member embedded in the back plate of
the ballistic garment

[0013]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes the
plurality of connecting elements operatively join the front panel and the
rear panel of the ballistic garment at a shoulder area and a waist area,
and wherein the activation of the pull mechanism permits the detachment
of the front panel from the rear panel at the shoulder area and waist
area of the ballistic garment.

[0014]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment may be vest.

[0015]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes a left
side and a right side, and wherein the pull mechanism is coupled to the
at least one releasable plugs to permit the detachment of the front panel
of the ballistic garment from the rear panel of the ballistic garment at
one of the left side and the right side of the ballistic garment while
leaving the front panel of the ballistic garment and the rear panel of
the ballistic garment attached at the other side of the ballistic
garment.

[0016]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes the
locking assembly that further comprises at least one back-up element,
wherein at least one back up element is operatively connected to at least
one pin member, and wherein the at least one back-up element is being
capable of disengaging the at least one releasable plug without use of
the pull mechanism.

[0017]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one of soft armor and plate protection.

[0018]In another example, a method for removing a ballistic garment, the
method comprising: wearing a ballistic garment having: a front panel of
the ballistic garment; a rear panel of the ballistic garment; a plurality
of connecting elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting
elements having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of
each of the plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a
first end of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly; wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly; wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; and a pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly; and pulling the pull mechanism, wherein the pull mechanism
actuates the at least one pin member to disengage the at least one
releasable plug to allow a detachment of at least a part of the front
panel of the ballistic garment from at least a part of the rear panel of
the ballistic garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a quick release system in accordance
with principles of the present invention.

[0037]Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed,
other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from
the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
figures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and include
illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various
objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038]Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In
addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various
embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some
features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. In
addition, any measurements, materials and the like disclosed in the
figures are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.

[0039]One embodiment of the present invention provides a protective
garment, such as a tactical ballistic vest, having a quick release system
for separating the protective garment into a number of components, for
instance, a front portion and back portion. In one example, the front and
back portions of the vest may separate at the shoulders and at the sides
of the waist. The front and back portions may be held together, for
example, by four connectors (one for each shoulder and one for each side
of the waist) releasably attached at a single location (e.g., a central
location at a front waist area of the garment). A single pull mechanism
may open at the single location to essentially simultaneously release
both shoulders and both sides.

[0040]In one example, the tactical ballistic vest may be a solid front,
side-entry style vest with adjustable shoulders and adjustable side
closures. The tactical ballistic vest may contain, for example, IIIA soft
armor and front, rear, and side torso rifle plate protection that can be
inserted or removed at will. The size of the rifle plates may vary, but
may include (but not be limited to) 6×8, 7×8, 8×10,
10×12, and other Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) sizes. The
tactical ballistic vest may also accept Department of Defense (DoD) Outer
Tactical Vest (OTV) ballistic panels and enhanced protection components.

[0041]Further, the tactical ballistic vest may also accept, in an
embodiment, standard military OTV additional ballistic options including
(but not limited to) groin guard, neck and throat armor, shoulder and
bicep protection. Full shoulder and chest friction material can also be
provided for improved weapon welds and firing positions. The tactical
ballistic vest may provide substantial load-bearing for Modular
Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE), Pocket Attachment Ladder
System (PALS), and Advanced Tactical (AT) style pouches and gear options.
Additional features that may be provided, in an embodiment, include (but
are not limited to) communication wire-routing channels, camelback
hydration compatibility, and rear drag strap. The tactical ballistic vest
may also be integrated with military pack assemblies, and may be treated
to be flame-resistant.

[0042]In another example, the front portion and/or the rear portion may be
made of natural and/or synthetic material, e.g., leather, nylon, Kevlar,
etc. One or both portions may include internal pockets for holding the
rifle plates discussed above. The pockets may be located in torso
portions and/or side portions. The pockets may be accessed from external
openings and/or from inside the tactical ballistic vest.

[0043]In one example, a ballistic garment comprises a front panel of the
ballistic garment; a rear panel of the ballistic garment; a plurality of
connecting elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements
having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the
plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a first end
of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly; wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly; wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; and a pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly, wherein the pull mechanism actuates the at least one pin member
to disengage the at least one releasable plug to allow a detachment of at
least a part of the front panel of the ballistic garment from at least a
part of the rear panel of the ballistic garment.

[0044]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes a body
of the locking mechanism having at least one extension member that
operatively secures the locking mechanism to the ballistic garment.

[0045]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one extension member that operatively secures the locking mechanism
to the front panel of the ballistic garment.

[0046]In another example, the at least one extension member is operatively
secured to a plate member embedded in the ballistic garment.

[0047]In another example, the plate member embedded in the front panel of
the ballistic garment

[0048]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one extension member that operatively secures the locking mechanism
to the rear panel of the ballistic garment.

[0049]In another example, the plate member embedded in the rear panel of
the ballistic garment

[0050]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes the
plurality of connecting elements operatively join the front panel and the
rear panel of the ballistic garment at a shoulder area and a waist area,
and wherein the activation of the pull mechanism permits the detachment
of the front panel from the rear panel at the shoulder area and waist
area of the ballistic garment.

[0051]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment may be vest.

[0052]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes a left
side and a right side, and wherein the pull mechanism is coupled to the
at least one releasable plugs to permit the detachment of the front panel
of the ballistic garment from the rear panel of the ballistic garment at
one of the left side and the right side of the ballistic garment while
leaving the front panel of the ballistic garment and the rear panel of
the ballistic garment attached at the other side of the ballistic
garment.

[0053]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes the
locking assembly that further comprises at least one back-up element,
wherein at least one back up element is operatively connected to at least
one pin member, and wherein the at least one back-up element is being
capable of disengaging the at least one releasable plug without use of
the pull mechanism.

[0054]In another example, the inventive ballistic garment includes at
least one of soft armor and plate protection.

[0055]In another example, a method for removing a ballistic garment, the
method comprising: wearing a ballistic garment having: a front panel of
the ballistic garment; a rear panel of the ballistic garment; a plurality
of connecting elements, wherein each of the plurality of connecting
elements having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of
each of the plurality of connecting elements is operatively fastened to a
first end of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each
respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the
ballistic garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is
operatively fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug
for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one
releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one
connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment
is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least
one releasable plug engages the locking assembly; wherein at least one
releasable plug is releasably engaged by at least one pin member of the
locking assembly; wherein a cover at least partially covers the locking
assembly and the at least one releasable plug; and a pull mechanism
operatively coupled to the at least one pin member of the locking
assembly; and pulling the pull mechanism, wherein the pull mechanism
actuates the at least one pin member to disengage the at least one
releasable plug to allow a detachment of at least a part of the front
panel of the ballistic garment from at least a part of the rear panel of
the ballistic garment.

[0056]While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been
described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only,
and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while the embodiments of
the present invention discussed in this application are primarily focused
on tactical ballistic vests, body armor vests, and other protective
vests, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the quick release
system of the present invention can also be configured and utilized on
other garments including (but not limited to) safety vests, life
preservers, harnesses, parachutes, military packs, and backpacks.
Further, the protective garment may include one or more flame resistant
elements (e.g., a flame resistant lining). Further still, any desired
number of releasable shackle(s), buckle(s) and/or strap(s)/ring(s) may be
utilized. Further still, all sizes, measurements and the like are
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further still, methods
corresponding to the systems disclosed herein are contemplated and the
various steps may be carried out in any desired order (and any desired
steps may be added and/or any desired steps may be eliminated).